Asbestos Clean-Up at Old Beech Nut Plant

Authorities report that the outdoor piles of asbestos-containing debris at the old Beech Nut baby food plant near Albany are now gone, offering locals some relief from the eyesore that has so long been a part of their neighborhood and providing them with the knowledge that asbestos dust will no longer be an issue in their community.

However, the demolition of the remainder of the plant remains stalled, reports a story in the Albany Times Union. Hopes are that the tear down will be completed at the end of this year, at the latest.

The plant has been closed for more than a decade but was purchased by developer Todd Clifford several years later after Beech Nut relocated the factory.

The small village of Canojaharie, where the 100-year-old plant is located, shut down the developer more than 4 years ago for violations during unauthorized demolition, and the complex has been a menace to locals ever since. The county foreclosed on it a few months ago.

“We are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Montgomery County Executive Matt Ossenfort, agreeing that the sprawling 27-acre facility has become a decaying eyesore in the downtown section of the otherwise pristine village in Upstate New York.

He’s happy to see the EPA involved in the demolition process.

The EPA first arrived at the site to investigate the improper handling of asbestos after Clifford’s actions were reported to the agency’s local office.

They verified the fact that violations were in process though they’ve now assured the village that they would not hold it liable for the $4 million in environmental liens the agency has placed against the property.

In the meantime, locals are relieved that the piles of debris are gone and look forward to the day that the complex is demolished to make way for something more pleasing to the eye and more advantageous for the village.

Ossenfort said the county is now seeking qualified demolition companies to present plans on how to best demolish the eastern portions of the facility, which contains relatively modern warehousing.